7 Signs You Need a New Oven

7 Signs You Need a New Oven

If you’ve ever had to shop around for a new oven, you’ve probably seen a lot of expensive appliances. Depending on your specific requirements, your options may run from the subdued to the high-tech, and everywhere in between.

A more important question than what oven to get? however, might be how to know when to get an oven?

Join us, today, as we delve into seven surefire signs you’re in the market for a new oven.

It’s Frequently Going In For Repairs

If the answer to either of these questions is yes, it might be time for a change.

Ovens are standard household appliances, and there are great options out there for ongoing maintenance. But there is a threshold.

It sounds obvious, but the first sign any household appliance is on its way out is an increase in the amount of time it’s “in the shop”. Your oven should be a fixture in your home. If owning it is costing you money, it’s more of a liability than an asset, and replacing it will actually save you money.

It’s Not Cooking

Of course, your oven’s not necessarily going to break down before you need to replace it. It might turn out your oven just starts to underperform, which, for something that cooks your meals, can become a real problem over time.

It’s important to know what to look out for.

Over time, certain components in your oven tend to wear out with use. Watch out for “old faithful” recipes you’ve used for years, suddenly flopping or underbaking.

If your oven’s stopped being able to regulate heat or keep it circulating, your food’s going to cook slower. Depending on how it’s performing, this will affect your cooking, and possibly be reason enough for a replacement.

Your Electric Bill Is Astronomical

Another surefire sign you need to replace your old oven comes in the form of your monthly electricity bill.

If you’ve noticed a sharp uptick in your energy usage, there’s a good chance one of your oven’s components has given up the good fight. Older model ovens tend to heat up quicker, with less energy regulation, meaning they can guzzle energy, even over short periods of time. With newer models, the heating element warms up over more time, which actually helps to conserve power. With the right oven, you can even get “No-PreHeat Function” to reduce usage even further.

When an oven breaks down, the unregulated power usage from its malfunctioning can send your electricity bill through the roof.

If you’re paying more than you ever have for electricity, it might be time to replace your oven.

Scorched Worktops

Something homeowners often don’t expect from a malfunctioning oven is scorched countertops.

Light scorching on your worktops isn’t anything unusual, in and of itself. In fact, it happens quite often when there isn’t enough space between the oven and the cupboards or counters.

If your oven is installed correctly, there’s also a chance the seals aren’t working properly anymore.

This is the kind of problem that can make or break your oven usage. Keep an eye out for scorching on your countertops or any nearby cupboards as an early warning sign you need to replace your oven.

The Gas Switch Isn’t Lighting

Gas ovens aren’t inherently dangerous, but there’s always an element of hazard when dealing with worn out parts.

If you have a gas oven in your home, it’s important to make sure you don’t have a broken gas switch or pilot light. If your oven isn’t still lighting automatically, it’s a good sign your pilot light has stopped, due to something like a broken switch, or a lack of oxygen.

Keep in mind, these aren’t just problems with the way your oven works. They’re a potential safety issue, as well. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real possibility and can be potentially fatal if left unchecked. If you replace your gas oven, take the time to check the battery in your home or office carbon, to make sure it never sneaks up on you.

Cracked Glass and Obvious Rusting

Over the years, your oven’s likely to take its fair share of dings and scratches.

For most homeowners, this isn’t anything to get into a panic over, but there are a few warning signs that are easy to spot.

Firstly, there’s rust. As metal components age and absorb moisture, rust can work its way into corners, surfaces, and hinges. This might not be an issue at first, but as it builds up, rust can flake off and work its way into your food.

If the inside of your oven is rusting, it might be time to get a new oven.

Cracked door glass can also be a problem. Foods take longer to cook as the heat escapes, which means the oven itself will take longer to heat up and use more electricity. Unless you can find a door replacement, or an expert repair person, you’ll likely need to look into a new oven.

You Can’t Cook Enough In It

An oven is a repeat-use appliance, to say the least.

There aren’t many appliances in your house that are likely to see as much action as your oven. And, as your family grows, your cooking needs are likely to grow, as well.

If you find you can’t cook big enough meals in your oven to cook for your entire family, the writing’s probably on the wall. There are so many styles out there to choose from, there’s never been a better time than now to invest in a bigger oven to suit your needs.

Do You Need A New Oven?

The oven is a cornerstone of any modern home’s kitchen.

But, like any other appliance, there comes a time in every oven’s life when you’ve got to throw in the towel and look for a new model.

With a little know-how and some attention to detail, you can spot problems with your oven before they become big problems.

Interested in learning more about ovens, kitchen design, and other great kitchen combinations? Check out some of our other great blog posts, and transform your kitchen, today!